“Is Iran preparing a new series of attacks on US, Israel with proxies?,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, July 5, 2021.

And pictures.  Another example of Iran saying one thing, reports saying another.  “Experts reportedly see major damage in attack on Iran centrifuge plant,” Times of Israel, July 5, 2021.

“Iran power outage crisis leads politicians to slam their own policy,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, July 5, 2021.  And similar, “12 percent increase in Iranian electricity consumption drives country into darkness,” Dilan Sirwan, Rudaw, July 5, 2021.  See also “There are many speculations about the current electricity crisis in Iran. But the main reasons are the regime’s negligence in addressing the damaged infrastructure of power plants, exporting electricity to neighboring countries, and cryptocurrency mining to circumvent sanctions.”  This last phrase may include IRGC or other government officials benefitting (i.e., bribes or participation) directly from the huge amount of electricity required for mining.  “State Media: Iran’s Regime Profits $500 Million From Current Blackouts,” Shahriar Kia, NCRI, July 5, 2021.

Competent terrorists know who owns what ship.  “Iran hit ship thinking it’s owned by Israeli who had already sold stake,” WION, July 5, 2021.  “Israeli Officials Say Iran Behind Indian Ocean Attack on Cargo Ship,” Yaniv KubovichJack Khoury, Haaretz, July 3, 2021.  “Cargo Ship, Recently Israeli-Led, Is Struck in High Seas Encounter,” Ronen Bergman and Adam Rasgon, New York Times, July 3, 2021.

“Two imprisoned brothers one of whom was paralyzed due to being beaten in prison were executed in Iran on Sunday.”  “Iran executes two imprisoned brothers forced to “confess”,” Iran HRM, July 5, 2021.

“Iran displays autonomous underwater vehicle,” Israel Defense, July 5, 2021.

“Some reports claim that the warehouse is a state-owned facility, located off a road between Tehran and Karaj. The Iranian government has yet to officially respond to the reports.”  See “Large fire reported near Tehran, background unclear – report,” Tzvi Joffre, Jerusalem Post, July 5, 2021.  “The fire broke out in Karaj, south of Tehran, the city where an alleged attack targeted a nuclear facility reportedly used to produce centrifuges.”

Over 300,000 dead.  “Covid-19 Continues Its Toll In Iran,” Cyrus Yaqubi, op-ed, Eurasia Review, July 5, 2021.  This category of story is usually reported inaccurately in the national news.

From cemeteries to stop lights, interesting observation.  “Multiple Crises Bedevil Iran As No One Seems To Be In Charge,” Iran International, July 5, 2021.

“Iran reimposes virus restrictions as delta variant spreads,” AP, Yahoo, July 4, 2021.

“Ebrahim Raisi Will Unleash Mass Violence Upon Iran,” Majid Rafizadeh, National Interest, July 4, 2021.

Five Indians apparently being held hstage.  “Stranded in Iran for 18 Months, 5 Indians Move PM for ‘Ghar-wapasi’,” News 18, July 4, 2021.

Broken generator?  “Iran’s sole nuclear power plant up and running after closure,” Times of Israel, July 3, 2021.

Again?  Another wave?  Mismanagement, corruption, etc. persist.  “Iranian President Warns Of Fifth Wave Of COVID; Urges Iranians To Not Travel,” RFE/RL, July 3, 2021.

Married when she was 12, under Sharia and allowed in Iran.  “Thirteen-year-old Married Girl Dies During Childbirth In Iran,” Iran International, July 3, 2021.

“Israeli cargo ship damaged after being hit in Indian Ocean,” Anna Ahronheim and Idan Zonshine, Jerusalem Post, July 3, 2021.

“Turkish Citizen Arrested In Armenia After Massive Heroin Seizure,” Asbarez, July 3, 2021.

This journalist, like the Biden Administration, has this issue exactly backwards.  The hostages come first, not the JCPOA.  The hostages being released are a precondition to talks.  The Administration should have from the first, as I and others have advocated, required as a first step before holding talks with the Regime, that the human pawns be released and that Iran stop taking U.S. hostages.  They also hold a known 11 others from other countries, and who knows how many of their own citizens they use to blackmail Iranians.  So we will name again the four current U.S. hostages (there will be others unless we stop this insanity):  Siamak Namazi, Baquer Namazi, Morad Tahbaz, and Emad Sharghi.  See “Iran nuclear talks seen as best chance to free US detainees,” Laura Kelly, The Hill, July 2, 2021.

“Iran’s New President and a Duplicitous Claim About Press Freedom,” Nisan Ahmado, Polygraph.info, July 2, 2021.

Solid story about the problems and opportunities of PM Kadhimi trying to help his country be independent of Iran and the Regime.  “Analysis:  Iraq Is Trying to Escape the Iranian Cage,” Zvi Bar’el, op-ed, Haaretz, July 2, 2021.

“Meet Iran’s US-sanctioned new judiciary chief,” Al Monitor, July 2, 2021.  Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei named Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei the new judiciary chief.

“What Iran’s Failed Satellite Launch Likely Signals,” Peter Brookes, op-ed, Heritage, July 2, 2021.

“As U.S. Leaves Bagram Air Base, Russia, Iran and China Weigh Options in Afghanistan,” Tom O’Connor, USNWR, July 2, 2021.

“Dozens of human rights violations in Iran’s Kurdish areas: watchdog,” Layal Shakir, Rudaw, July 2, 2021.

The way to start July!  A “hard-line cleric sanctioned by the West” is the country’s new judiciary chief, taking the place of Ebrahim Raisi who will be the next Iran President.  The new chief judge (executioner, for they order those) is Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejehi.  Please also notice current Pres. Rouhani’s praise for this appointment.  See “Iran’s supreme leader appoints new hard-line judiciary chief,” Isabel Debre, AP, July 1, 2021.

This is the first time I’ve read in depth the effect of throwing a match has on that Iranian athlete.  Very interesting.  “‘They Teach You to Hate’: Iranian Athletes Share Traumatizing Experiences of Being Forced to Forfeit Matches With Israeli Opponents,” Shiryn Ghermezian, Algemeiner, July 1, 2021.

If this article is accurate in saying “The 2018 accord does not specify exactly how lines from border points between two countries on the coast are to be drawn out to the limit of national exclusion zones.” then Iran is correct. Under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, and general international law on the subject of treaties, if the subject of the treaty (the lines) were never drawn, then they are the foundational purpose for the treaty does not exist—for example, you can’t have a boundary/border treaty between two countries unless the line has been demarcated.  But I’ve not read this treaty, and it sounds suspicious that something signed three years ago and on as important a subject as the Caspian to not have this codified before the parties signed and ratified.  Something’s up.  “Iran Won’t Ratify 2018 Caspian Delimitation Treaty Until Key Issue Is Clarified,” Paul Goble, op-ed, Eurasia Review, July 1, 2021.

“US Airstrikes on Proxy Militias Unlikely to Deter Iran, Says Defense Think Tank,” Algemeiner, July 1, 2021.

“Iran tightens control over social media, IRGC in charge of the Internet,” Iran HRM, July 1, 2021.

“Iran restricts IAEA access to main enrichment plant after attack–diplomats,” John Irish and Francois Murphy, Reuters, July 1, 2021.

“International Olympic Committee is coming under pressure over the alleged torture and arrest of Iranian athletes,” Don Riddell, CNN, July 1, 2021.

“Kuwait and Iran exchange fugitive citizens wanted for financial crimes,” MEMO, July 1, 2021.

“International Olympic Committee is coming under pressure over the alleged torture and arrest of Iranian athletes,” Don Riddell, CNN, July 1, 2021.

“Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah held talks this week in Beirut about last month’s 11-day war with Israel. Political sources in Lebanon told The Arab Weekly that talks between Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah were part of an effort to underline the links between Hamas and the Iranian regional agenda.”  See “Iran brings Haniyeh and Nasrallah together,” Times of Israel, July 1, 2021.

“Iran announces emergency use of 2nd domestic COVID-19 vaccine,” Xinhua, June 30, 2021.  The use of only home-grown meds, or those bought from Russia or China, continues to hamper the health of the population in Iran.  It does not have to be this way if Iran would accept vaccines from the West.

Quote of the day.  “Considering Iran’s nuclear history, if long-range ballistic missile tests, masquerading as satellite space launches, are left unaddressed in ongoing talks, a future Iranian ICBM threat is inevitable.”  See “What Iran’s Failed Satellite Launch Likely Signals,” Peter Brookes, The Daily Signal, June 30, 2021.

“Lindsey Graham: ‘Never been more worried’ about potential war between Iran, Israel,” Fox, June 30, 2021.

“Iran’s Parliament Seeks Death Penalty for “Collaborating with Enemy States”,” Center for Human Rights in Iran, June 30, 2021.

“Iran Sentences Christian Converts Under New Sectarianism Law,” Persecution.org, June 30, 2021.

Apparently a farewell to long-serving FM Zarif, and an introduction to another hardliner, Ali Bagheri Kani, as the next foreign minister.  He is an outspoken opponent of the 2015 JCPOA, IAEA, cooperation with the West, supporter of the nuclear program, etc.  See “Iranian press review: Nuclear deal opponent tipped as new foreign minister,” Middle East Eye, June 30, 2021.

A very unusual article for the theme of this blog, but it really fits in.  This story makes the point that being radical is no way to run a country long-term, it is bad for the country and its people, but also makes it easier for opponents to spy.  “Former Iranian intelligence minister: ‘Mossad has penetrated the regime’,” Neta Bar, JNS, Israel Hayom, June 30, 2021.

“Iran Diplomacy Nerves Fray as Atomic Talks Run Into Summer,” Jonathan Tirone, Bloomberg, June 30, 2021.

Quote of the Day.  “Iran is not capable of fundamental reform in any Western sense under this regime.”  This goes back to Kissinger’s famous statement.  See “The real reason America has never found common ground with Iran,” Eric Mandel, op-ed, JNS, June 30, 2021.  “The Iranian regime is a fundamentalist Twelver Shi’ite revolutionary movement of true believers whose mission is to spread their repressive understanding of Islam throughout the world, including among their Sunni brethren. They are as doctrinaire as ISIS in their beliefs, except the Iranians will soon have the capability to have nuclear weapons. Since 1979, many Republicans and most Democrats have not been able to deal with this complex reality. The Achilles’ heel of American foreign policy is the false belief that all nations, including those that are horrifically repressive and sponsors of terrorists, can be induced to choose a more conciliatory and less confrontational posture to the U.S. and its allies by Western reason and economic inducement. This comes despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary that our outreach has been interpreted as a weakness. Administrations from both parties have chosen to ignore the obvious because of our Western conceit, that we know how to manipulate this regime if we only bend enough, give enough money and show respect. The manipulation masters are the Iranians. Religiously sanctioned dissimulation, also known as Taqiyya, permits deception of one’s enemy. The Iranians’ patsies are their naïve Western nuclear negotiation counterparts. None of this is new. In 2006, Michael Rubin of the American Enterprise Institute wrote, “It is dangerous to assume that both Washington and Tehran operate from the same set of ground rules. [Former Supreme Leader Sayyid Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini] spoke of the Shi’ite concept of taqiyah…the necessity to engage in such religiously sanctioned lying…If the Islamic Republic perceives itself as under threat, its leaders may not only feel compelled to lie but may also feel justified in so doing. From a religious and political perspective, the ends justify the means.” Iran is not capable of fundamental reform in any Western sense under this regime. The quicker we understand that, the more realistic will be our foreign policy. For President Biden and previous administrations from both parties, ignoring it is a prescription for national security nightmares.”

“Iran says executing child offenders not a rights violation,” Arab News, June 30, 2021.

Notice that it is not ALL foreign vessels, just SELECTED foreign vessels.  “Foreign Vessels Should Leave Persian Gulf: Iran,” Kashmir Observer, June 30, 2021.

“If and when a return to the agreement is reached, the Biden administration will also need to counter Iran’s escalating efforts in the Middle East.”  See “The Iran Nuclear Deal Isn’t the Problem. Iran Is,” James Jeffrey and Dennis Ross, The Atlantic, June 29, 2021.  Again, Kissinger’s quote and the purpose of this blog appear.  “The regional perspective on Iran is driven by these leaders’ experience with the Islamic Republic. For them, the core question with Iran, as Henry Kissinger once put it, is whether it is a country or a cause. The case for the latter is strong and deeply rooted: Revolutionary Iran uses Islamic, Shiite, and anti-colonialist rhetoric to justify an expansionist nationalistic agenda.”

This will most likely result in the UN Secretary General having to take a stand.  “EXCLUSIVE U.N. expert backs probe into Iran’s 1988 killings, Raisi’s role,” Reuters, June 29, 2021.

“Bahrain: Iran stands out as main source of narcotics,” Ramadan Al Sherbini, Gulf News, June 29, 2021.

As this article say, and research shows, decay usually is showing by the third generation.  “Is Iran’s Islamic Revolution running out of puff?,” Satoshi Ikeuchi, Nikkei Japan, June 29, 2021.

“Oil Industry Workers Go on National Strike in Iran,” Center for Human Rights in Iran, June 29, 2021.

“U.S. launches airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq, Syria,” Tim Stelloh, Courtney Kube, and Saphora Smith, NBC, June 28, 2021.  “U.S. military forces carried out what a Pentagon official called “defensive” airstrikes in Iraq and Syria on Sunday against Iran-backed militia groups that were behind drone attacks on American personnel.  Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said in a statement that the airstrikes targeted operational and weapons storage facilities at two locations in Syria and one in Iraq. The facilities were used by at least two militias, Kata’ib Hezbollah and Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Kirby said. The fourteenth brigade of the Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella group for a number of Iran-backed militias in Iraq, said four of its fighters were killed in the attack. The fourteenth brigade is made up of Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada members.”

“Report details China and Iran’s ‘pragmatic’ anti-U.S. partnership,” Jenna McLaughlin, Yahoo, June 28, 2021.

Notice two things.  Iran has attacked the U.S.  Second, the news needs to remember to put things in sequence—here, a few days ago Iran’s militias attacked U.S. positions in Iraq, then the U.S. responded.  Now Iran has attacked the U.S. again.  See “US forces in Syria came under rocket fire, a day after US carried out airstrikes on Iranian-backed militias,” Barbara Starr and Nicole Gaouette, CNN, June 28, 2021.

“Navid Afkari: Executed Iranian wrestling star’s voice is ‘everywhere now’,” Don Riddell, CNN, June 28, 2021.

This WPost op-ed portends what will happen.  Remember, IRGC, Raisi, and the Leader.  Too much invested to go backwards.  (like the Taliban—they are coming back).  There will be a limited JCPOA, but Iran will continue NOT being a normal state as long as the current management is in charge.  See “The U.S. and Iran near a breaking point,” Ishaan Tharoor, op-ed, Washington Post, June 28, 2021.

“Iran’s 7,000km range drone is a warning to Israel – analysis,” Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, June 28, 2021.

Mr. Simon is a good reporter.  But he stakes this article’s claim on one item only—that Iran is running out of foreign reserves.  “Iran Is Increasingly Likely To Accept A New Nuclear Deal,” Simon Watkins, OilPrice.com, June 28, 2021.

“Iran should switch support from militias to Iraq, KRG: British ambassador,” Anis Ari, Rudaw, June 28, 2021.

“Iran won’t share nuclear images with UN as deal has expired, says speaker,” The National, June 27, 2021.

“Iran has drones with range of 7,000 km, Guards commander says,” Reuters, June 27, 2021.

This is the way it should work.  Players/countries lifting each other up to higher heights.  “Iranian footballer ‘glad’ Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo could break goals record,” Mehrdad Sadeghi, Euro News, June 27, 2021.

Audacious to talk about sending vaccine to countries under the sway of Iran in the Shia Arc, and before the terrible provision of drugs for his own country.  “Iran Could Become Covid Vaccine Exporter,” Financial Tribune, June 27, 2021.

“Iran’s gas and energy workers hold wage protests as nation grapples with sanctions,” The National, June 27, 2021.

Joe, say it ain’t so!  It doesn’t make sense to not sanction the one person most responsible for the suffering in/from Iran.  “Biden admin weighs lifting sanctions on Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,” Dan De Luce, NBC, June 26, 2021.

Iran wants Lebanon to be dependent on Iran, and wants Iran to remain in a precarious state.  That, of course, is not good government nor good for the region.  “Iran warns U.S. diplomat over meddlesome remarks,” Tehran Times, June 26, 2021.

“Iran says it won’t negotiate forever, but believes nuclear deal can be saved,” Times of Israel, June 26, 2021.

Notice that by accident or on purpose, the Ministry of Tourism listed first the most important country in the world at present to Iran—China.  “Iran targets 30 countries to boost inbound tourism,” Tehran Times, June 26, 2021.

Two problems.  Iran has a poor record with regard to how returning citizens are treated, and second Iran has a poor record regarding confiscation of assets.  “Raisis’ Call to Iranian Expats to Return Home Met with Skepticism,” Iran International, June 26, 2021.

As long at the IRGC can control and benefit financially.  “Iran Counts 30 Crypto Mining Farms Licensed to Mint Digital Currencies,” Lubomir Tassev, Bitcoin.com, June 26, 2021.